Arrow feeding device for crossbow

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates to an arrow feeding device attached to a crossbow, and includes a feeding part having a path defined therethrough and communicating with the top end and the bottom end of the feeding part. The path includes a first for receiving the arrow head, a second area for receiving the shaft and the tail, and a third area for receiving an arrow nock. The third area includes a stepped portion on each of two sidewalls thereof. Each stepped portion defines the third area into a first section and a second section. The first section is wider than the second section. The first section includes two sidewalls and each sidewall of the first section includes a rib extending therefrom. The second sections and the ribs of the path form a three-point restriction to the tail of the arrow to prevent the arrow from being tilt.

This is a Continuation-In-Part patent application of applicant's former patent application with application Ser. No. 17/234,703, filed on Apr. 19, 2021.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Fields of the Invention 2. Descriptions of Related Art

The existed arrow feeding devices for crossbows known to applicant is disclosed by Raffeis (U.S. Pat. No. 2,516,341) and Moore (U.S. Pat. No. 3,739,765). The arrows are pre-loaded in the body of the firing tool of Raffeis and pressed by a spring so as to feed the arrows on by one. However the arrows are not properly positioned in the room of the firing tool so that the arrows may be tilt and moved. This can easily cause problems when shooting the arrows. In addition, after all of the arrows in the room of the firing tool are used out, the user has to re-load the arrows one by one, and this takes time.

Although Moore discloses a magazine which can be detachably connected to the crossbow from the underside of the crossbow, the magazine simply positions the shaft of the arrows only, there is no positioning features and structures regarding to the featherings and the nock, so that the arrows may move or tilt in the magazine as well.

The present invention intends to provide an arrow feeding device for crossbows that precisely positions the arrows so as to eliminate the shortcomings mentioned above.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to an arrow feeding device for crossbows, and the feeding device comprises a feeding part having a front end and a rear end, wherein the front end of the feeding part is located corresponding to an arrow head of an arrow, and the rear end of the feeding part is located corresponding to the tail of the arrow. A shaft is formed between the arrow head and the tail. A path is defined through the feeding part and communicates with the top end and the bottom end of the feeding part. The path includes a first area for receiving the arrow head, a second area for receiving the shaft and the tail, and a third area for receiving an arrow nock. The third area includes two sidewalls and each sidewall of the third area has a stepped portion. Each stepped portion defines the third area into a first section and a second section. The width of the first section is wider than a width of the second section. The first section includes two sidewalls and each sidewall of the first section including a rib extending therefrom. The two respective ribs are located corresponding to each other. The two respective ribs extend from the top end to the bottom end of the feeding part. The tail of the arrow includes a wide section and a narrow section which is narrower than the wide section. The arrow is located in the path, and the narrow section is located corresponding to the second sections of the third area of the path. The wide section is located corresponding to the first sections of the third area of the path. The wide section includes two grooves in which the two ribs are received. The shaft of the arrow is located in the second area of the path. The arrow head is located in the first area of the path. The second sections and the ribs of the path forms three-point restriction to the tail of the arrow.

The present invention provides a second embodiment of the arrow feeding device that is attached to a crossbow, and the arrow feeding device comprises a feeding part having a front end and a rear end, wherein the front end of the feeding part is located corresponding to an arrow head of an arrow, and the rear end of the feeding part is located corresponding to the tail of the arrow. A shaft is formed between the arrow head and the tail. A path is defined through the feeding part and communicates with the top end and the bottom end of the feeding part. The feeding part is attached to the crossbow, and the path communicates with the flight groove of the crossbow. The path includes a first area for receiving the arrow head, a second area for receiving the shaft and the tail, and a third area for receiving an arrow nock. The third area includes two sidewalls and each sidewall of the third area has a stepped portion. Each stepped portion defines the third area into a first section and a second section. The width of the first section is wider than a width of the second section. The first section includes two sidewalls and each sidewall of the first section including a rib extending therefrom. The two respective ribs are located corresponding to each other. The two respective ribs extend from the top end to the bottom end of the feeding part. The tail of the arrow includes a wide section and a narrow section which is narrower than the wide section. The arrow is located in the path, and the narrow section is located corresponding to the second sections of the third area of the path. The wide section is located corresponding to the first sections of the third area of the path. The wide section includes two grooves in which the two ribs are received. The shaft of the arrow is located in the second area of the path. The arrow head is located in the first area of the path. The second sections and the ribs of the path forms three-point restriction to the tail of the arrow so as to ensure that the arrow does not tilt and move in the path and is loaded into the flight groove.

The present invention ensures that the arrows in the path of the feeding part are not tilt and shake, and the arrows are fed into the flight groove of the crossbow steadily to enhance precise shooting.

The present invention will become more obvious from the following description when taken in connection with the accompanying drawings which show, for purposes of illustration only, a preferred embodiment in accordance with the present invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view to show the arrow feeding device of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is another perspective view to show the arrow feeding device of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged view to show the detail structure of the stepped portion of the third area of the of the path;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged and cross sectional view, taken along line IV-IV in FIG. 1 ;

FIG. 5 is a top view of the feeding part of the present invention;

FIG. 6 shows that the arrow feeding device of the present invention is attached to a crossbow;

FIG. 7 shows that arrows are located in the path of the present invention in FIG. 6 ;

FIG. 7A is an enlarged top view to show the tail of an arrow located in the feathering receiving area of the path;

FIG. 8 is an enlarged and cross sectional view, taken along line VIII-VIII in FIG. 7 ;

FIG. 9 shows that the lowest one of the arrows is loaded into the flight groove of the crossbow;

FIG. 10 shows that the arrow is shot by the string of the crossbow;

FIG. 11 shows the arrows are located into the path of the feeding part of the present invention, and

FIG. 12 is a top view to show that arrows are located into the path of the feeding part of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring to FIGS. 1 to 12 , the arrow feeding device of the present invention comprises a feeding part 100 which are designed to accommodate multiple arrows 200 therein. The feeding part 100 has a front end 1 and a rear end 2. The front end 1 of the feeding part 100 is located corresponding to the arrow head 201 of an arrow 200, and the rear end 2 of the feeding part 100 is located corresponding to the tail 202 of the arrow 200. A shaft 203 is formed between the arrow head 201 and the tail 202. A path 5 is defined through the feeding part 100 and communicates with the top end 3 and the bottom end 4 of the feeding part 100. The path 5 includes a first area 51 for receiving the arrow head 201, a second area 52 for receiving the shaft 203 and the tail 202, and a third area 53 for receiving an arrow nock. The third area 53 includes two sidewalls and each sidewall of the third area 53 has a stepped portion 531. Each stepped portion 531 defines the third area 53 into a first section 531A and a second section 531B, wherein the width “X” of the first section 531A is wider than the width “Y” of the second section 531B as shown in FIG. 5 . The first section 531A includes two sidewalls and each sidewall of the first section 531A includes a rib 54 extending therefrom. The two respective ribs 54 are located corresponding to each other. The two respective ribs 54 protrude from the top end 3 to the bottom end 4 of the feeding part 100. The tail 202 of the arrow 200 includes a wide section 202A and a narrow section 202B which is narrower than the wide section 202A. The narrow section 202B is located corresponding to the second sections 531B of the third area 53 of the path 5 so as to form a first restriction to the positioning of the arrows 200. The wide section 202A is located corresponding to the first sections 531A of the third area 53 of the path 5. The wide section 202A includes two grooves 202C in which the two ribs 54 are received to form a second restriction to the positioning of the arrows 200. The shaft 203 of the arrow 200 is located in the second area 52 of the path 5. The arrow head 201 is located in the first area 51 of the path 5. The second sections 531B and the ribs 54 of the path 5 form a three-point restriction to the tail 202 of the arrow 200.

When the feeding part 100 is attached to a crossbow 300, the path 5 of the feeding part 100 communicates with the flight groove 301 of the crossbow 300. The lowest arrow 200 in the path 5 of the feeding part 100 will be loaded into the flight groove 301 of the crossbow 300. The arrows 200 are well positioned in the path 5 by the three-point restriction as described above, as shown by the triangle area in FIGS. 5 and 7A. Furthermore, the shaft 203 and the arrow head 201 are respectively positioned by the second area 52 and the first area 51 of the path 5, such that the arrow 200 is stably loaded into the flight groove 301. The arrow 200 loaded in the flight groove 301 is then shot by the string 302 of the crossbow 200.

The first area 51 and the second area 52 of the path 5 each include two sidewalls. Each sidewall of the first area 51 and the second area 52 has multiple ridges 55 extending therefrom. The ridges 55 of the two sidewalls of each of the first area 51 and the second area 52 are located in pairs. Each ridge 55 includes an end face that contacts the shaft 203 and the arrow head 201 of the arrow 200 in the path 5 to ensure that the arrows 200 do not shake and move as shown in FIGS. 1-5, 7, 7A and 8 .

As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8 , the arrow 200 includes a feathering 204 formed to the tail 202 of the arrow 200. The second area 52 of the path 5 includes a shaft receiving area 521 and a feathering receiving area 522. The feathering receiving area 522 includes two sidewalls and each sidewall of the feathering receiving area 522 includes a shoulder 523 extending from one of the ridges 55 that is located in the second area 52. The shoulder 523 defines the feathering receiving area 522 corresponding thereto into a first portion 522A and a second portion 522B. The second portion 522B is formed between the first portion 522A of the feathering receiving area 522 and the first section 531A of the third area 53 of the path 5. The width “d” of the first portion 522A of the feathering receiving area 522 is shorter than the width “D” of the second portion 522B. The feathering 204 of the arrow 200 is located in the second portion 522B of the feathering receiving area 522. The shaft 203 is located in the first portion 522A of the feathering receiving area 522. When loading the arrows 200 into the path 5, the user holds the shaft 203 of the arrow 200 by his/her fingers, and aims the shaft 203 to the first portion 522A. The first portion 522A provides sufficient room to allow the user's fingers to release the shaft 203 into the path 5 as shown in FIGS. 11 and 12 .

Generally, the arrow head 201 of the arrow 200 includes a point 205. The present invention provides a distance “E” formed between each of the two sidewalls of the first area 51 of the path 5 as shown in FIG. 5 . Therefore, the tip 205 does not scrape the feeding part 100 so as to protect the tip 205 and the feeding part 100.

While we have shown and described the embodiment in accordance with the present invention, it should be clear to those skilled in the art that further embodiments may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention. 

What is claimed is:
 1. An arrow feeding device for crossbows, comprising: a feeding part (100) having a front end (1) and a rear end (2), the front end (1) of the feeding part (100) located corresponding to an arrow head (201) of an arrow (200), the rear end (2) of the feeding part (100) located corresponding to a tail (202) of the arrow (200), a shaft (203) formed between the arrow head (201) and the tail (202), a path (5) defined through the feeding part (100) and communicating with a top end (3) and a bottom end (4) of the feeding part (100), the path (5) including a first area (51) for receiving the arrow head (201), a second area (52) for receiving the shaft (203) and the tail (202), and a third area (53) for receiving an arrow nock, the third area (53) including two sidewalls and each sidewall of the third area (53) having a stepped portion (531), each stepped portion (531) defining the third area (53) into a first section (531A) and a second section (531B), a width (X) of the first section (531A) being wider than a width (Y) of the second section (531B); the first section (531A) including two sidewalls and each sidewall of the first section (531A) including a rib (54) extending therefrom, the two respective ribs (54) located corresponding to each other, the two respective ribs (54) protruding from the top end (3) to the bottom end (4) of the feeding part (100), and the tail (202) of the arrow (200) including a wide section (202A) and a narrow section (202B) which is narrower than the wide section (202A), the arrow (200) located in the path (5) and the narrow section (202B) located corresponding to the second sections (531B) of the third area (53) of the path (5), the wide section (202A) located corresponding to the first sections (531A) of the third area (53) of the path (5), the wide section (202A) including two grooves (202C) in which the two ribs (54) are received, the shaft (203) of the arrow (200) located in the second area (52) of the path (5), the arrow head (201) located in the first area (51) of the path (5), the second sections (531B) and the ribs (54) of the path (5) forming a three-point restriction to the tail (202) of the arrow (200).
 2. The arrow feeding device for crossbows as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first area (51) and the second area (52) of the path (5) each include two sidewalls, each sidewall of the first area (51) and the second area (52) has multiple ridges (55) extending therefrom, the ridges (55) of the two sidewalls of each of the first area (51) and the second area (52) are located in pairs, each ridge (55) includes an end face that contacts the shaft (203) and the arrow head (201) of the arrow (200) in the path (5).
 3. The arrow feeding device for crossbows as claimed in claim 2, wherein the arrow (200) includes a feathering (204) formed to the tail (202) of the arrow (200), the second area (52) of the path (5) includes a shaft receiving area (521) and a feathering receiving area (522), the feathering receiving area (522) includes two sidewalls and each sidewall of the feathering receiving area (522) includes a shoulder (523) extending from one of the ridges (55) that is located in the second area (52), the shoulder (523) defines the feathering receiving area (522) corresponding thereto into a first portion (522A and a second portion (522B, the second portion (522B formed between the first portion (522A) of the feathering receiving area (522) and the first section (531A) of the third area (53) of the path (5), a width (d) of the first portion (522A) of the feathering receiving area (522) is shorter than a width (D) of the second portion (522B), the feathering (204) of the arrow (200) is located in the second portion (522B) of the feathering receiving area (522), the shaft (203) is located in the first portion (522A) of the feathering receiving area (522).
 4. The arrow feeding device for crossbows as claimed in claim 1, wherein the arrow head (201) of the arrow (200) includes a point (205), the first area (51) includes two sidewalls, a distance (E) is formed between each of the two sidewalls of the first area (51) of the path (5).
 5. An arrow feeding device for crossbows, comprising: a feeding part (100) having a front end (1) and a rear end (2), the front end (1) of the feeding part (100) located corresponding to an arrow head (201) of an arrow (200), the rear end (2) of the feeding part (100) located corresponding to a tail (202) of the arrow (200), a shaft (203) formed between the arrow head (201) and the tail (202), a path (5) defined through the feeding part (100) and communicating with a top end (3) and a bottom end (4) of the feeding part (100), the feeding part (100) attached to a crossbow (300), the path (5) communicating with a flight groove (301) of the crossbow (300), the path (5) including a first area (51) for receiving the arrow head (201), a second area (52) for receiving the shaft (203) and the tail (202), and a third area (53) for receiving an arrow nock, the third area (53) including two sidewalls and each sidewall of the third area (53) having a stepped portion (531), each stepped portion (531) defining the third area (53) into a first section (531A) and a second section (531B), a width (X) of the first section (531A) being wider than a width (Y) of the second section (531B); the first section (531A) including two sidewalls and each sidewall of the first section (531A) including a rib (54) extending therefrom, the two respective ribs (54) located corresponding to each other, the two respective ribs (54) protruding from the top end (3) to the bottom end (4) of the feeding part (100), and the tail (202) of the arrow (200) including a wide section (202A) and a narrow section (202B) which is narrower than the wide section (202A), the arrow (200) located in the path (5) and the narrow section (202B) located corresponding to the second sections (531B) of the third area (53) of the path (5), the wide section (202A) located corresponding to the first sections (531A) of the third area (53) of the path (5), the wide section (202A) including two grooves (202C) in which the two ribs (54) are received, the shaft (203) of the arrow (200) located in the second area (52) of the path (5), the arrow head (201) located in the first area (51) of the path (5), the second sections (531B) and the ribs (54) of the path (5) forming a three-point restriction to the tail (202) of the arrow (200).
 6. The arrow feeding device for crossbows as claimed in claim 5, wherein the first area (51) and the second area (52) of the path (5) each include two sidewalls, each sidewall of the first area (51) and the second area (52) has multiple ridges (55) extending therefrom, the ridges (55) of the two sidewalls of each of the first area (51) and the second area (52) are located in pairs, each ridge (55) includes an end face that contacts the shaft (203) and the arrow head (201) of the arrow (200) in the path (5).
 7. The arrow feeding device for crossbows as claimed in claim 6, wherein the arrow (200) includes a feathering (204) formed to the tail (202) of the arrow (200), the second area (52) of the path (5) includes a shaft receiving area (521) and a feathering receiving area (522), the feathering receiving area (522) includes two sidewalls and each sidewall of the feathering receiving area (522) includes a shoulder (523) extending from one of the ridges (55) that is located in the second area (52), the shoulder (523) defines the feathering receiving area (522) corresponding thereto into a first portion (522A and a second portion (522B, the second portion (522B formed between the first portion (522A) of the feathering receiving area (522) and the first section (531A) of the third area (53) of the path (5), a width (d) of the first portion (522A) of the feathering receiving area (522) is shorter than a width (D) of the second portion (522B), the feathering (204) of the arrow (200) is located in the second portion (522B) of the feathering receiving area (522), the shaft (203) is located in the first portion (522A) of the feathering receiving area (522).
 8. The arrow feeding device for crossbows as claimed in claim 6, wherein the arrow head (201) of the arrow (200) includes a point (205), the first area (51) includes two sidewalls, a distance (E) is formed between each of the two sidewalls of the first area (51) of the path (5). 